Recently bought an '05 Excursion. Slowly working my way through the truck to return it back to somewhat normal looking.

Currently has a cheap rough country lift kit. Looking at various options from returning to stock (where I'm heavily leaning now, just have to buy new wheels/tires), or maybe a small lift/leveling kit to accommodate some tires I have on another vehicle (295/65).

Thoughts/suggestions?

Diesel or Gas? If you want to go back to stock I have a pair of U-code front springs I can sell you. They only have a few thousand miles and look like new.

U-code springs would have been the factory front springs on that Ex if it's a diesel.

Anything from an F250 in similar years will work, especially if you want to tow with it. The heavier rear springs from an F250 make towing much nicer. If you don't want to tow or haul 25 kids in the back search out the Excursion rear springs. They give a much softer ride. Front suspension stuff is identical to an F250.

Complete Idiot said:

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I put Rancho RS9000XL's on mine, Rancho steering stabilizer, Hellwig rear sway bar, and Roadmaster Active Suspension on mine (this was 12 years ago). Sat level and towed straight, no sway. Think I put of Michelin Defender LTX tires, or whatever was the equivalent back then.

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Thats a very solid setup if you are towing. The Roadmaster Active Suspension is awesome. They are basically overload springs without the downsides of having overload springs.

Also, go with the Michelin LTX's. Other tires don't last as long so the cost savings isn't warranted.




Fun story. I once pulled a token trailer about 15 miles with my 7.3 Excursion. Trailer was north of 15k pounds. Rear suspension bottomed out the whole way, but the truck itself had no issues pulling the trailer. Our bus had broken down and we needed to get the gear to the gig. Lucky for us our first gig that weekend was only 15 miles away from the bus parking.

Diesel. And I will certainly consider the offer once I figure out what I'm actually doing here.

Looks like the Roadmaster Active Suspension is an upgrade or "enhancement" to the stock suspension? As in I would still need to reset to stock, then explore a few of these options?

Tim Weaver said:

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Anything from an F250 in similar years will work, especially if you want to tow with it. The heavier rear springs from an F250 make towing much nicer. If you don't want to tow or haul 25 kids in the back search out the Excursion rear springs. They give a much softer ride. Front suspension stuff is identical to an F250.

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I've been recommended V and C code springs from ATS Suspensions as comparable springs to a stock suspension, but with potentially a better ride. Something else I'm considering.

Daddy-O5 said:

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Looks like the Roadmaster Active Suspension is an upgrade or "enhancement" to the stock suspension? As in I would still need to reset to stock, then explore a few of these options?

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Yes. It kinda hooks around the stock springs (or stock F250 springs) and prevents axle-wrap and sagging during towing. What it does not do is add a ton of spring rate when you are unloaded. Great product.


Airbags can do the same thing, and arguably better, but enough people have experienced blown bags while towing that I was wary of putting them on mine.


Rancho makes good truck shocks. Mine just had monroe cheapies on it though and I never had a problem with the ride.





BTW, I'm pretty sure you can still do a small spacer lift with the RAS if you want it. Mine was stock height. I't a big truck already. I didn't need it any taller.

Sounds good. U code will be softer than the V code. Both are rated for the Diesel. V codes were typically used in the pickups. And I believe "A" code is the softest you can do in the rear. Also your door sticker should show these spring codes.

Daddy-O5 said:

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Tim Weaver said:

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Anything from an F250 in similar years will work, especially if you want to tow with it. The heavier rear springs from an F250 make towing much nicer. If you don't want to tow or haul 25 kids in the back search out the Excursion rear springs. They give a much softer ride. Front suspension stuff is identical to an F250.

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I've been recommended V and C code springs from ATS Suspensions as comparable springs to a stock suspension, but with potentially a better ride. Something else I'm considering.

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I'm not familiar with the spring codes, but I'm guessing those are F250 springs. The Ex was undersprung from the factory to make it soccer-mom friendly. Many people went to the heavier truck springs and said it rode better. Stiffer, but more controlled. Less porpoising.

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Airbags can do the same thing, and arguably better, but enough people have experienced blown bags while towing that I was wary of putting them on mine.

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Airbags was something being considered down the road. Something like the RAS provides a similar result?

I don't really need/want a taller truck either. I've got practical reasons for maintaining a small lift (already have the tires) and I'd be lying if I didn't enjoy a little bit more aggressive look, but at the end of the day it's going to be a blacktop warrior that I'll use to tow. Trying to find the most reasonable solution here for long term.

Daddy-O5 said:

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Airbags can do the same thing, and arguably better, but enough people have experienced blown bags while towing that I was wary of putting them on mine.

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Airbags was something being considered down the road. Something like the RAS provides a similar result?

I don't really need/want a taller truck either. I've got practical reasons for maintaining a small lift (already have the tires) and I'd be lying if I didn't enjoy a little bit more aggressive look, but at the end of the day it's going to be a blacktop warrior that I'll use to tow. Trying to find the most reasonable solution here for long term.

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Yeah RAS effectively does a similar thing. Prevents squat during towing or when heavily loaded. It is totally passive and requires no thought after installation.


Thats why I had my Ex as well. It was a tow pig and I personally put over 200k (340k miles total!) miles on mine and it was still excellent mechanically when I sold it.


I wish I had never sold it but my need for a tow vehicle disappeared when I got a real job. I bought a small car that was good on gas. I miss my Excursion still.

Ford Excursion Coil Spring Conversion (adrenalineoffroadco.com)

Anyone ever done this to an excursion? Maybe out of my reach for DYI. Likely fairly expensive to get someone to do it.

+1 on the RAS, I noticed a nice improvement with body roll in turns while unloaded

Daddy-O5 said:

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Diesel. And I will certainly consider the offer once I figure out what I'm actually doing here.

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If going stock, you will want a front leveling kit for that 7.3L.

Just in case anyone is interested, this guy's channel is all things Excursion mods/upgrades. Decided to go with the ATS V/C codes, which I'll be trying to figure out how to install in my driveway this weekend. Along with a few other things that need repair while I'm at it.

Redid the suspension, couple of inches lower and essentially level. Rides 1000x better than the RC lift. Looks much better IMO too.

Still have some work to do on the front axle and steering components. Will add the RAS at some point as well, as recommended here.